Neckscarves and horse bags or purses ....

I also made some earrings today. Some for me :)..and some to sell on my barterpage.. http://www.tribalbarter.blogspot.com/

Doesnt this hula hoop look like fun ? Maggie from prairieland herbs sent it to me today.... I was like OMG!!!!!!!! I have So been wanting one of these. It is too cold to really jog for exercise . This will do the trick for me for sure. Those pesky pounds on my hips hopefully will go away this winter .... I need LOTS of practice. I spent more time laughing at myself today than actually getting it to stay on my hips.

I am going thru fabrics to put together some new projects to work on. I have alot of stuff that needs to be handsewn and winter is a good time to do these projects while i curl up on the couch and watch a movie . The plaid fabric was enough to cut out 4 long neckscarves . One for me and 3 to be sold or bartered. The horse fabric is fleece and i plan to make beaded or fringed bags from them .I had enough other fleece to cut out 8 neckscarves. I like to hand hem them and then use embroidery thread and blanket stitch around the edges.

Upholstery fabric pillows

I had some scrap of upholstery fabric left in my fabric stash....so i whipped these pillows up yesterday ... I enjoy rich color and unusual textures in fabrics. These will be perfect on my wicker furniture . The fly fishing one is a gift for a friend to go with his lapquilt I made this fall.

Making Bath Salts early

I use an old roasting pan to mix mine all in. The 2 main things to remember is to not use any utensils that are still damp with water and mix well . Also to use fragrance OIL... water based will not work with these and will melt the salts.. I use a 3--2--1 ratio ..3 cups epsom salts..... 2 cups sea salt....1 cup baking soda . I like this mixture the best. There are many bath salt recipes online so take time and browse them and see what you like the best. For fragrance i use 2 oz per batch.But i like a heavy scented fragrance in my salts. I add a tiny bit of oxide to color my salts. It only takes a few sprinkles of it. It also helps me to see to mix the fragrance oil in well . You can store in jars ..or plastic baggies..... Some of these will be xmas gifts this year .

I spent yesterday scrubbing cabinets inside and out..then started on the living room hardwood floors to get the old wax off and new on....ssssoooo I didnt get to make any soap yesterday or probaly today. Still have to finish the last of cabinets and part of living room floor today before i do anything else.... oh well.Tis the season to scrub and clean :) BUT.... I jumped out of bed this morning and had cuppa chai tea about 5 am so could make my bath salts up for presents. Bath salts are one of the easiest things to make. I use mine actually for a foot soak.. Now all that is left to do is wrap them up all pretty and make cute tags for them .... I scented the lavender salts a "sun kissed rasberry" and the blue ones are "blueberry".

Now to have breakfast and get to scrubbing the floor....... If i get everything all done i will be able to make soap tomorrow. Tuesday the bathroom floor is being replaced so this is my last chance to make soap for few days

Cast Iron Pan Candy

http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2009/12/11/cast-iron-pan-candy/ I just love sharing this ladys blog and all her recipes with everyone... She shows alot of the steps she goes thru making all the goodies..which is a big help to me. This is one i want to try in next few weeks.

LOVE my lye soap for everything !!

I spent yesterday running around town trying to get lye for my soap...first off. NO ONE believes you make soap with it...they think you are just a well dressed drug dealer. When you try to educate them on how lye is in soap..they just say.. oh no .. "glycerine is what is in MY soap "....GRR!!! people.. glycerine is a by product of it all.. OH WELL . I have my lye... I can make soap now . I took the solid green and the light purple bars i hade made few weeks ago.. I cut them in smaller pieces and added to the lye when i poured it in the mold. That gives me the confetti soap ( thanks bonne for the idea) . I set my mold in a warm oven (preheated to 170 degrees and then turned OFF ) and let it set up overnight . It sets up quick and the bar is very hard.Ready to use after a few days of setting so it can completely dry out. I used mulberry scent in the purple and green soap....a sandalwood in the green confetti soap . I sell and trade some of my soaps ..some i use for gifts..then others i keep JUST for me ! Bonne started me on the path to using only handcrafted lye soaps...... i used hers for several years and then she talked me into making my own. I wont go back to store bought soap again. The shea butters and other oils in my soap..along with the herbs i add... my skin thinks it is in seventh heaven .It has never been softer . I even save the ends and pieces from a leftover bar...cut in small pieces..add to a spray bottle of water..once it sits day ot two to get all mushy .. i use it to clean the whole house. I dont use shampoo anymore either. The handmade soap is great for my hair. It has never been stronger or shinier .

How To Make Corn Husk Angels...

http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2009/12/01/learn-how-to-make-corn-husk-angels/#comment-54694 I just love these corn husk angels from Suzanne's blog. You could turn them into faeries for your tree also..take a minute and visit her blog and check these out along with all the many adventures she has been up to with Clover and her animal friends....